conflict and change

Question 1

Lesaca - Religious fundamentalism

Answer 1

ISIS study - Digital communication is used by religious fundamentalist groups to gain followers and promote their ideologies E.g Twitter to gain members, YouTube to spread extremist ideologies.

Question 2

Howard - Religious fundamentalism

Answer 2

Christian fundamentalist groups were using the internet as a key role to promote their ideologies. A virtual church was built around those who embrace common ideologies, and his study ‘Digital Jesus’ shows how like-minded people create a large web of communication on the internet. This is supported by the BBC documentary ‘America’s Hate Preachers’ which held masses on Facebook live, that spread misogynistic views on gender roles and homophobic, transphobic and Islamaphobic ideologies.

Question 3

Sutton, Palen and Shklovski - Dealing with disasters

Answer 3

Digital communication has the potential to change the way in which we respond to disasters e.g. California Wildfires and Twitter page, was set up so people could find support.

Question 4

Kirkpatrick - Social movements and new social media

Answer 4

Some see social media as being central to new campaigns and new social movements.
-Immediate communication to prepare them.
-Information about human rights abuses can be shared.
-Groups and individuals whose voices may usually be suppressed can speak out.
-News that is biased can be challenged
-Regimes can be spoken out against.
E.g Facebook events to organise protests

Question 5

Ghonim - Social movements and new social media

Answer 5

Conflict and Change in the Middle East - Egypt protests driven by social media and Areeba Areeba.